Are bulkheads/flooding repairable/controllable?!

[Liszt_]

I was just off Akkido island when a bomber got a real good hit on me on the surface. Flooding and bulkhead in the forward torp room, some minor pump damage and both scopes damaged beyond repair (I think beyond repair is full red.)

I immediately went to battle stations and set a repair team on everything. Flooding in the forward torp room got "under control" it said and the bulkhead switched in the forward torp room switched to a fully repaired image thing.

I then proceeded to order a dive to periscope depth to finish repairs, but as soon as my shark went below the waterline I sank like a rock. What the hell?????

it said flooding and forward bulkhead was repaired :x

[stabiz]

There is something wrong with the repair/damage sytem. Multiple reports,

[fidget]

I got mine fixed by assigning the forward topedo crew team to the (normally empty) damage control team. Then I hit the 'Damage Contol' button under sub-management. Fixed the bulkhead 100%, then I could dive without problems.

[-Pv-]

When I'm in enemy waters and close to suspected action, I keep a damage crew assigned all the time and when under attack or attacking with escorts/planes, I use the Battle Stations command which activates the entire crew and damage control. Also keep aware the repair time and effectiveness depnds on the skill and talant of the damage crew. Tow or three low skill guys will not repair heavy damage in time. I've found I have to keep the crew scale 50% or more to quickly repair even moderate damage.
Damage that is not overwhelming gets repaired much sooner. This does not mean a leathal hit (many of our american subs sank desite exelant crews) can always be repaired. Also, I think I've read dev statements that damage is cumulative.
Even though you have temporarily fixed a bulkhead (how much strees can a timber wedged against the pressure hull take) some damage weakens the STRUCTURE of the hull and diving and additional battle damage take you out easier. In SH3 there was a hull damage display indicating the weakening of the structure that could not be repaired. In SH4 we are missing that indicator, but I think it's still in effect.

Treat your damaged sub with extreme care and keep your maintenence crew active for a while even if it means you have to micro-manage the crew for a few days. Avoid deep dives near test. You will have to be nore stealthy and avoid higher risk battles when you have had more than minor damage. This may mean subsurface day transits in enemy controlled waters. If it were me, I would go looking for a repair port if I take even ONE bulkhead damaged. My fighting effectiveness is severely limited.
-Pv-

[Cakewalk]

Yep, as the saying goes:

"It only takes one hole to sink a sub."

:)

[Skorn]

I was just off Akkido island when a bomber got a real good hit on me on the surface. Flooding and bulkhead in the forward torp room, some minor pump damage and both scopes damaged beyond repair (I think beyond repair is full red.)

I immediately went to battle stations and set a repair team on everything. Flooding in the forward torp room got "under control" it said and the bulkhead switched in the forward torp room switched to a fully repaired image thing.

I then proceeded to order a dive to periscope depth to finish repairs, but as soon as my shark went below the waterline I sank like a rock. What the hell?????

it said flooding and forward bulkhead was repaired :x

Exact thing happened to me...my crew repaired everything and pumped out all of the water and I was impressed that I survived. I then proceeded to dive to periscope depth to make sure I didn't get attacked again and sank like a ton of bricks... :damn:

[Joaoperru]

I think that is quite frustrating... just because none tells you that if you dive you'll die... spent minutes to sail and pray patching my sub up, then the first time i dive, i dive right to the bottom.

[JackChen]

I think the first idea of even putting a ship under water is already a fool's dream come true. the danger is always there, not only are you already 1 step in the grave being under water, but a small weakening of the hull will crush it up.

Unfortunately, as I read through the literature on Wikipedia, those are more submersibles rather than true submarines without ability to snorkel nor was it streamlined for underwater running rather than surface.

[-Pv-]

The blow ballast when taking too much damage was an emergency, last ditch manouver to save the crew. As stated by dev team related to SH3, once you have surfaced, be prepaired to fight it out on the surface and run to repair port. If you cannot, you will lose the boat anyway. Trying to submerge again after taking leathal damage is futile. It was this way in SH3 and I expect also in SH4.

Play smart and keep your damage low. Practice and maximize your stealth and evasion techniques. Measure your risks against return if successful. Keeep your crew fit and effective. If all else fails, RESTORE SAVE.
-Pv-

[GakunGak]

Seems like even when the crew fixes the bulkead, a hole stays visible...
So when you dive, a water enters the hole and a big flood starts...

[CaptJodan]

Seems like even when the crew fixes the bulkead, a hole stays visible...
So when you dive, a water enters the hole and a big flood starts...

That's the way I read it. When I hear "Pressure Hull damaged" I know it's over for the dive. Been hit twice by aircraft so far, but was able to E-blow my way back the surface when I attempted a dive. Clearly, though, you're doomed if that pressure hull breaches.

Incidentally both hits I took never allowed the electric engines to start up again. Even after diving, the electrics never cut in. I just sank like a rock even though they were repaired. I still think that is fishy enough to need attention at some point. I nearly crushed on my last attempted holed dive, and some electric engines probably would have helped not make it so close a call.

[CaptJodan]

Incidentally, I think there should be some indication beyond just normal un-explainable sinking as to what happened when you dived again. If the sub is holed, then should the compartments not be flooding again when you dive? They don't. They remain dry as a bone all the way to the bottom. This is something that could use some improvement and help others to understand why exactly they're going to the bottom.

[Subleo]

I think that the "pressure hull damaged" report signs the end of the sub's diving ability.
I wasn't conviced at first but when I hit the F11 key, I had no choice but to go back to port. I don't think that a hole this big can be repaired at sea :nope:

http://static.filefront.com/images/personal/s/subleo44/82328/klkpszkhxz.jpg